tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15453937.post5287633381756211754..comments2024-01-10T17:36:15.040-07:00Comments on The Lippard Blog: The Rise of Pentecostalism and the Economist Religion Wars issueLippardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826768452963498005noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15453937.post-11125244852030148002007-11-22T17:06:00.000-07:002007-11-22T17:06:00.000-07:00I think your last paragraph is quite right--provid...I think your last paragraph is quite right--providing people with meaningful ways to contribute, actively participate, and have a sense of accomplishment is important to the success of any kind of organization.Lippardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16826768452963498005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15453937.post-22190541169550341922007-11-22T16:54:00.000-07:002007-11-22T16:54:00.000-07:00Fascinating stuff, Jim.Promoting social events (li...Fascinating stuff, Jim.<BR/><BR/>Promoting social events (like meetup and the more recent <A HREF="http://drinkingskeptically.org" REL="nofollow">Drinking Skeptically</A>) among skeptics and secularists is a great first step.<BR/><BR/>However, social activities will not provide enough substance to keep people engaged in any way approaching the Pentecostal's success. Compare the active vs inactive members of any of those social-oriented meetup groups for an example. It's pathetic. A turnout of 5% of the active members for an event is doing well!<BR/><BR/>Providing events (speakers, e.g.) that go beyond the social have done wonders for Denver Skeptics meetup, vaulting us well ahead of similar groups in metropolitan areas with 5x the population.<BR/><BR/>I'd offer that one even has to go further to go beyond mediocre growth -- i.e., to provide a range of meaningful ways for the average person to contribute. One example would be <A HREF="http://lippard.blogspot.com/2007/06/skepticamp.html" REL="nofollow">skepticamp</A>-like events, gatherings where the attendees provide the content.<BR/><BR/>I've added more <A HREF="http://groups.google.com/group/skepticamp/browse_thread/thread/845c9c1d899e1e3a" REL="nofollow">here</A>.Reedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01018156643173663788noreply@blogger.com